Lake Zurich National Guard Artillerymen Promoted

Surrounded by the thunderous boom of 105mm artillery rounds, soldiers from Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment re-enlisted and received promotions from their battery commander and first sergeant on May 19 at Fort McCoy, WI.

During the three-day live fire exercise, the Sycamore unit promoted a total of 14 soldiers to ranks ranging from private to staff sergeant.

Pfc. Cameron Delve of Lake Zurich was promoted to the rank of specialist at Fort McCoy.

"Having been through numerous promotion ceremonies, I believe this is the first time I have had the honor of conducting one with live cannon fire," said 1st Sgt. David Binning of Pecatonica. "It accentuated the feeling of artillery pride that beats within each of these soldiers' hearts."

"This weekend was a milestone for the unit," said Capt. Dustin Cammack of Chicago, battery commander. "Not only did we promote 14 well-deserved Soldiers and reaffirm the commitment of three others – we moved one step closer to the capstone training event of the year."

Pfc. Devian Ruiz of Lake Zurich, was promoted to the rank of specialist on May 20 at the Sycamore National Guard Armory Spc. Ruiz serves as a Cannoneer for Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment located in Sycamore. Spc. Ruiz enlisted into the Illinois National Guard in 2010.

This news release was submitted by the Illinois National Guard.